[clug] [OT] Broadband clangers

[steve jenkin]

Bob Edwards wrote on 11/08/10 10:28 AM:

> 
> There was also a debate on ABC News 24 last night with Sen. Conroy
> (sorry, I simply can't grok the ABC archives...) where he says
> something like: "we need 100Mbps to enable future technologies like
> the SmartGrid".

That was probably a debate broadcast from the National Press Club [10PM].
<http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/all/netw/201008/20100810.htm>

ABC can broadcast (and repeat?) but doesn't have on-line rights.
[Also on 'Sky'. Press Club will sell you DVD's and transcripts.]

That debate is on you-tube:
<http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/08/watch-the-ict-debate-again-and-again/?>
or
<http://www.youtube.com/australiavotes>

Conroy starts talking about "SmartGrids" around 2:40.


> My grid meter runs at 19200baud and is bursty... I guess they may
> want to have 5000+ grid meters running per household... that would
> be a killer app for a 100Mbps connection...

Early on, a Telco Engineer suggested to me that I couldn't read faster
than 300baud, so why would I want 1200baud or more?
Good logic, flawed assumptions.

It's probably more about other factors besides speed, just as
'broadband' is about more than speed - always-on (zero start-up),
reliable, and guaranteed connectivity.
I still know folk doing dial-up... Works for them :-)

Having One True Network Everywhere means you can easily sell/buy
10-15minutes of electricity, or do "off-peak on steroids".
Plus much more with environmental/building control.

Early on, Telcos realised that standards (connectors, wiring,
voltage/current, ...) were A Really Good Idea.

Having a standard CPE network (Customer Premises Equipment) with
standard access/security and management/control protocols sets the stage
for standardised devices for all.
That's the real benefit of FTTH - every house (well 93%) has a LAN and
standard access kit.


> I am not necessarily against having a 100Mbps link, I just don't see
> why the minister is using SmartGrid as part of his argument. This is
> not going to need anything more than about 300bps, if that. The
> minister must have more compelling reasons to invest $43B for the
> NBN than enabling SmartGrids.

Agreed. It isn't about 'speed'.

Paul Budde has been an activist for the NBN for some time.
"SmartGrid" and "e-Health" are part of his schtick.
<http://www.budde.com.au/>

> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Bob Edwards.

HTH.

-- 
Steve Jenkin, Info Tech, Systems and Design Specialist.
0412 786 915 (+61 412 786 915)
PO Box 48, Kippax ACT 2615, AUSTRALIA

sjenkin at canb.auug.org.au http://members.tip.net.au/~sjenkin